Toilet flushing device for push button toilets

ABSTRACT

A device for facilitating flushing a toilet having a push button. The device comprises a lever having a first end and a second end. A handle is coupled to the first end of the lever. A pivot mechanism is located between the first end and the second end such that the lever rotates about the pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism is configured to be attachably coupled to a tank cover of the toilet. In one embodiment, the pivot mechanism comprises a downward facing surface having two suction cups, wherein each suction cup is configured for removably coupling the pivot mechanism to a surface of the tank. A hammer head coupled to the second end of the lever. The hammer head is configured for pushing the push button located on the tank cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of toilets, and morespecifically to the field of toilet flushing mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

A toilet is a sanitation device used for the disposal of human urine andfeces. Toilets and sewers were invented in several parts of the world.Ancient “Western-style” toilets were made from bricks with wooden seatson top. They had vertical chutes, through which waste fell into streetdrains or cesspits. Around the eighteenth century BC, toilets started toappear in Crete, Egypt and ancient Persia. In Roman civilization,toilets using flowing water were sometimes part of public bath houses.

In the modern era, flush toilets are common in many parts of the world.A typical flush toilet is a ceramic bowl containing water plus plumbingmade to be rapidly filled with more water. The water in the toilet bowlis connected to a drain, which is connected a sewer line. A flush toiletworks because of gravity. When a plug within the toilet tank is pulled,water will flow out of the toilet tank to fill the basin. When the basinis full enough, gravity causes the liquid to flow out through a bend inthe pipe, called an S trap.

Push button toilets are configured such that when a button on top of thetoilet tank is pushed, the plug in the tank of the toilet is pulled orremoved to allow water to flow into the basin. However, in somesituations having to push or depress a button can be difficult toperform. For example, people who are physically challenged may not beable to push a button. If a person who is physically unable to press abutton of a push button toilet, then such a person will be unable toflush a toilet. This will cause unsanitary and smelly conditions.

Additionally, there currently is no way to convert a push button toiletto a lever style toilet. As a result, there exists a need forimprovements over the prior art and more particularly for a moreefficient or different way of flushing a push button toilet.Additionally, there is a need for assisting a person with physicalchallenges to use a flushing toilet that has a push button.

SUMMARY

A device for facilitating flushing a toilet having a push button isdisclosed. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection ofdisclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described belowin the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. ThisSummary is not intended to identify key features or essential featuresof the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be usedto limit the claimed subject matter's scope.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a lever having a first end andan opposing second end. A handle is coupled to the first end of thelever. A pivot mechanism is located between the first end and the secondend such that the lever rotates about the pivot mechanism. The pivotmechanism is configured to be attachably coupled to a tank cover of thetoilet. A hammer head is coupled to the second end of the lever. Thehammer head is configured for pushing the push button located on thetank cover.

Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be set forth in partin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments.The aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosedembodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presentlypreferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for facilitating flushing atoilet having a push button, wherein the device is in a non-flushingposition, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device forfacilitating flushing a toilet having a push button, according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a base of the device for facilitating flushinga toilet having a push button, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a top view of the base of the device for facilitatingflushing a toilet having a push button, according to another exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a suction cup of the device for facilitatingflushing a toilet having a push button, according to another exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3C is a side view of a pin for use with the device for facilitatingflushing a toilet having a push button, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3D is a side view of a base of the device for facilitating flushinga toilet having a push button, according to another example embodiment;and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device for facilitating flushing atoilet having a push button, wherein the device is in a flushingposition, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While disclosed embodiments may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting reordering, or adding additional stages orcomponents to the disclosed methods and devices. Accordingly, thefollowing detailed description does not limit the disclosed embodiments.Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed embodiments is defined by theappended claims.

The disclosed embodiments improve upon the problems with the prior artby providing a system that provides a less difficult method to flush atoilet having a push button. The device converts a push button toiletinto a toilet that may be flushed by applying upward force to a lever.The device allows a user to flush a push button toilet without the userhaving to touch or push the button of the toilet downward with theuser's finger. The device provides a portable flushing device that willcater to virtually any age category, or anyone who desires to flushhis/her toilet the way North Americans are accustomed to traditionallyflushing his or her toilet. The device provides a device to help youngchildren who are learning to use a toilet for the first time.

Referring now to the Figures, FIGS. 1 and 4 will be discussed together.FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device 110 for facilitating flushingof a toilet 115 having a push button 120, wherein the device is in anon-flushing position. The present invention may be in use in commercein North America and in other countries. FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe device for facilitating flushing of a toilet having a push button,wherein the device it is in a flushing position. The toilet has a tankcover 125 having a substantially flat surface, and is well known tothose skilled in the art of fabricating toilets. It is understood thatby depressing the button 120 of the toilet the plug (not shown) withinthe tank 126 of the toilet is removed so that water enters into thetoilet bowl allowing the toilet to flush. The device for facilitatingflushing includes a lever 130. The lever can be a substantiallyelongated bar shaped body at the first end 135 opposing a second end140. The lever can be comprised of material such as wood, corrugatedpaper, metal, alloy, hard plastic, composites etc. and such materialsare well known to those skilled in the art of fabricating toilets. Ahandle or knob 145 is attached to the first end of the lever. The handleor knob is adapted or configured such that a person can easily grasp thelever. In other embodiments (not shown), no handle or knob is used. Suchhandles and knobs are well known to those skilled in the art offabricating toilets and can comprise of similar material to that of thelever. The handle or knob may be fastened to the first end of the leverusing glue, fasteners etc.

The pivot mechanism or fulcrum 160 is located between the first end andthe second end of the lever. The pivot mechanism is configured such thatthe lever rotates about the pivot mechanism. In one embodiment, thepivot mechanism comprises a U-shaped body (more fully illustrated inFIG. 2 and further explained below). The pivot mechanism is configuredto be attachably coupled to the tank cover. In the present embodiment, abase 165 is coupled to the bottom portion of the pivot mechanism, whichcan be affixed to the top surface of the tank cover 125 (which isfurther explained below and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3).

A hammer head or pushing element 150 is coupled to the second end of thelever. The hammer head or pushing element is configured for pushing thepush button on the tank lever downward. The hammer head or pushingelement includes a contact surface 155 that interacts with the pushbutton 120 of the tank. In one embodiment, the contact surface issubstantially planar, however the pushing service may also have curvesor angles. In one embodiment, the second end and/or hammer head may beweighted such that the second end of the lever is biased towardstouching the push button. In one embodiment, the hammer head maycomprise of metal, ferrous materials, alloys, plastic, corrugated paper,wood, etc. and such materials are well known to those skilled in the artof fabricating toilets. In one embodiment, the hammer head is a somewhatrectangular shaped body that extends perpendicular outward from thelongitudinal axis (illustrated as line B in FIG. 1) of the lever suchthat the contact surface of the hammer head is offset from thelongitudinal axis of the lever.

The device is configured such that when in the non-flushing position, asillustrated in FIG. 1, the hammer head of the second end of the leverdoes not move the push button of the tank cover downward if a forcebelow a threshold force acts on the first end of the lever. The deviceis also configured such that the hammer head of the second end of thelever moves the push button downward if an upward threshold force actson the first end of the lever. Typically, the threshold force can beapplied by the human user using human muscle power. However, if a humanuser is physically challenged, then a human user may also use otherdevices to assist in applying the threshold force required to raise thefirst end of the lever.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, when an upward force acts (illustrated by LineC) on the first end 135 of the lever, it causes the second end 140 ofthe lever to move downward (in the direction of Line D) due to the pivotmechanism or fulcrum. As the second end of the lever moves outward, thecontact surface of the hammer head or pushing element pushes or pressesthe push button downward, which causes the toilet to flush. The offsetfeature of the contact service of the hammer head facilitates to pushthe push button downward in that the contact surface and hammer head canenter into the tank cover that when the push button moves downward.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the pivot mechanism or fulcrum160 taken along line A of FIG. 1. In one non-limiting embodiment, thepivot mechanism comprises a U-shaped body having a crossing member 225that spans between a first leg 215 and an opposing second leg 220. Inthe present embodiment, the crossing member, first leg and second legare substantially rectangular shaped bodies. Each of the members of theU-shaped body can comprise material such as metal, wood, ceramic, etc.and such materials are well known to those skilled in the art offabricating toilets. The body of the lever 131 can be held into placewithin the U-shaped body by a bar 212 having rotatable properties. Inthe present embodiment, the bar or shaft is an elongated cylindricalshaped bar and spans from the first leg to the second leg upward fromand parallel to the crossing member 225. The cylindrical shaped bar maypass through the body of the lever and attach to each of the legs of theU-shaped body using fasteners 211. The configuration of the lever withinthe U-shaped body is such that the lever may pivot about the pivotmechanism so that the ends of the lever may be moved upwards anddownwards when forces cause the pivot mechanism or fulcrum to pivot thelever.

The bottom portion 226 of the U-shaped body may be affixed to a base165. In the present embodiment, the base is a substantially rectangularplanar shaped body having a downward facing surface 205. The base can beaffixed to the top surface of the toilet tank cover 125, using afastener, such as glue, screws, strapped etc. In the present embodiment,suction cups 210 (illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3) coupled to the downwardfacing surface of the base are used to removably couple the base andpivot mechanism to the tank cover.

FIGS. 3A-3D will be discussed together. FIG. 3A is a top view of thebase 165 of the device for facilitating flushing a toilet having a pushbutton, according to another example embodiment. FIG. 3B is a side viewof a suction cup 210 of the device for facilitating flushing a toilethaving a push button, according to another example embodiment. FIG. 3Cis a side view of a pin 315 for use with the device for facilitatingflushing a toilet having a push button, according to an exampleembodiment. FIG. 3D is a side view of a base of the device forfacilitating flushing a toilet having a push button, according toanother example embodiment. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate one embodiment of howthe present invention can be easily removably attached to the upwardfacing surface of it can cover. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate one embodiment ofhow the device is considered portable. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, thebase 165 can have a pair of openings 305. In the present embodiment,each of such openings are circular, however other shapes are within thespirit and scope of the invention. Each of the openings are configuredfor receiving a nipple 310 of a suction cup so that the nipple 310 ofthe suction cup can be accessed by a user above the upward facingsurface 206 of the base. FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a suctioncup 210. In the present embodiment, the suction cup comprises a nipple310 that extends perpendicularly upward from the downward facing surface325 of the suction cup. The nipple of each suction cup comprises achannel 320 adapted to receive a pin 315. In the present embodiment eachchannel is circular and adapted to receive a tubular shaped pin. In thepresent embodiment, the pin is tubular shaped, however other embodimentsand shapes, rectangular shaped, hook, shapes, etc. are within the spiritand scope of the invention.

In operation, referring to FIG. 3D, a user may secure the base 165 tothe upward facing surface of a toilet tank by using suction cups. In thepresent embodiment, a user will position the suction cups such that eachof the suction cups' nipples 310 passes through each of the openings305. Next, a user will insert pin 215 into each channel 320 of each ofthe nipples thereby securing each of the suction cups to the base. Next,the base can be affixed to the upward facing surface of a toilet tank.If a user desires to remove the base, a user only has to remove each ofthe pins 315 from each of the channels of the suction cups in order toremove the base. Next, the user can apply a sufficient amount of forceto each of the suction cups to remove the suction cups from the upwardfacing surface of the toilet tank.

In operation, the device will be affixed to the top portion of a tankcover 125. Before fixing the device, the hammer head of the second endmust be positioned such that when the device is in the non-flushingposition (as illustrated in FIG. 1) the contact surface 155 of thehammer head will contact the push button of the toilet. In the presentembodiment, the base 165, which is affixed to the bottom portion of thepivot mechanism, is removably coupled to the tank cover using thesuction cups. In order to couple the base of the pivot mechanism to thetank cover, downward force must be applied so that the suction cups areheld in the place.

Next, after the device is positioned such that the contact surfacetouches the push button of the toilet when in the non-flushing position,if a user desires to flush the toilet, a user will apply an upward force(in the direction of line C), typically using human muscle power, to thefirst end of the lever 135 or knob 145. This upward force must begreater than the threshold force, which such threshold force is theforce required to push the push button downward to cause the toilet toflush. The upward force applied to the first end causes the pivotmechanism to pivot the second end downward and move the hammer head 150in a downward direction (in the direction of line D). As the hammer headmoves downward, the contact surface 155 of the hammer head pushes thepush button downward, which causes the toilet to flush. After the upwardforce is removed from the first end of the lever, the first end of thelever will move downward thereby allowing the second end of the lever tomove upward. As the second end of the lever moves upward, the pushbutton may reset to its un-pressed position so that the toilet tank maybe refilled and flushed again when necessary.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

We claim:
 1. A device for facilitating flushing a toilet having a pushbutton, comprising: a lever having a first end and a second end; ahandle coupled to the first end of the lever; a pivot mechanism locatedbetween the first end and the second end such that the lever rotatesabout the pivot mechanism, wherein the pivot mechanism is configured tobe removably coupled to a tank cover of the toilet; and, a hammer headcoupled to the second end of the lever, wherein the hammer head isconfigured for pushing the push button located on the tank cover.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the pivot mechanism includes a base having adownward facing surface having at least one suction cup, wherein the atleast one suction cup is configured for removably coupling the pivotmechanism to a surface of the tank.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe hammer head is configured such that a contact surface of the hammerhead interacts with the push button, and wherein the contact surface ofthe hammer head is offset from the longitudinal axis of the lever. 4.The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured such that thehammer head of second end of the lever moves the push button of the tankcover downward if a force greater than a threshold upward force acts onthe first end of the lever.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the deviceis configured such that the hammer head of second end of the lever doesnot move the push button of the tank cover downward if a force less thanthe threshold force acts on the first end of the lever.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the handle comprises a knob.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a u-shaped body having a firstleg, an opposing second leg and a bar spanning from the first leg to thesecond leg, wherein the bar is configured to pivotally couple the leverto the u-shaped body of the pivot mechanism.
 8. A device forfacilitating flushing a toilet having a push button, comprising: a leverhaving a first end and a second end; a handle coupled to the first endof the lever; a pivot mechanism located between the first end and thesecond end such that the lever rotates about the pivot mechanism,wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to be attachably coupled to atank cover of the toilet; and, a hammer head coupled to the second endof the lever, wherein the hammer head is configured such that a contactsurface of the hammer head interacts with the push button and is offsetfrom the longitudinal axis of the lever, and wherein the hammer head isconfigured for pushing the push button located on the tank cover.
 9. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a downwardfacing surface having two suction cups, wherein each suction cup isconfigured for removably coupling the pivot mechanism to a surface ofthe tank.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the device is configuredsuch that the hammer head of second end of the lever moves the pushbutton of the tank cover downward if force greater than a thresholdupward force acts on the first end of the lever.
 11. The device of claim10, wherein the device is configured such that the hammer head of secondend of the lever does not move the push button of the tank coverdownward if a force less than the threshold force acts on the first endof the lever.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the threshold force isconfigured to be applied using human muscle power.
 13. A device forfacilitating flushing a toilet having a push button, comprising: a leverhaving a first end and a second end; a fulcrum located between the firstend and the second end such that the lever rotates about the fulcrum,wherein the fulcrum is configured to be attachably coupled to a tankcover of the toilet; and, a pushing element coupled to the second end ofthe lever, wherein the pushing element is configured for moving the pushbutton located on the tank cover downward.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the fulcrum comprises a u-shaped body having a first leg, anopposing second leg and a cylindrical shaped bar spanning from the firstleg to the second leg, wherein the cylindrical shaped bar is configuredto pivotally couple the lever to the u-shaped body of the fulcrum. 15.The device of claim 13, wherein the fulcrum includes a base having adownward facing surface configured for coupling the fulcrum to a surfaceof the tank.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein the pushing element isconfigured such that it interacts with the push button such that thepushing element of second end of the lever moves the push button of thetank cover downward if a force greater than a threshold upward forceacts on the first end of the lever.
 17. The device of claim 16, whereinthe device is configured such that the pushing element of second end ofthe lever does not move the push button of the tank cover downward if aforce less than a threshold force acts on the first end of the lever.18. The device of claim 16, wherein the threshold force is provided byhuman muscle power.
 19. The device of claim 13, wherein a knob iscoupled to the first end of the lever.